Avoid Freelancers, Instruct With Care

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Sunday, June 1, 2008; Page F03

Send a query to an e-mail group that covers your neighborhood, or check watchdog Web sites, such as AngiesList.com. Be aware that a contractor's references will showcase the best work, not the goofs.

Consider only licensed contractors or members of a professional group, such as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. If things go wrong, you'll have venues where you can air a grievance.

Contracts should specify a start date, a completion date and a payment schedule -- for example, 10 percent down, 10 to 15 percent after each major milestone and the final 10 percent only upon satisfactory completion of the project.

Be excruciatingly exact. Instead of instructing contractors to "install cabinets," try "install 42-inch, country-style oak kitchen cabinets per plan, manufactured by company XYZ, model ABC, with finish EFG and matching three-inch dentil crown molding."

Ask for receipts after each subcontractor is paid, or write checks jointly to the contractor and subcontractors.